Thursday 19 September 2013

Marsh Samphire

Although marsh Samphire (that's in the species Salicornia) is popping up more and more in shops I knew I'd never bother to try it until I found some growing myself. This week, deep in another part of Devon, I finally found some.
In the natural habitat

Marsh Samphire turns out to be everything I've ever been told it is. For starters it's better than Rock Samphire (Crithmum maritimum, so not related at all) as it tastes nothing like petrol. Instead it's a perky little vegetable with a salty taste. A really salty taste. It grows in salty marshes. It's like salt in a vegetable. I enjoyed nibbling on the raw tips while out for walks but when I got home I had to do something more with it.

In my natural habitat

Steamed for 7 minutes (because that's what it said to do in Edible Seashore) and served with a little olive oil and pepper. The almost unbearable saltiness it toned down leaving a delightful green. I don't know if I'll be buying it but I'll certainly be looking out for it on marshy walks.


3 comments:

  1. Oh i am so envious that you live in a place where you can forage loads, i'm looking out for some samphire too, but It will have to be shop bought

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  2. I tried it once, after buying it from the reduced section of a local supermarket. I tried a bit raw and spat it out it was that salty! I must admit I was a bit naughty and fed it to my composter rather than trying to cook with it.

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  3. This patch was about and hour away from where I live so I don't think it's going to be an everyday thing for me. And yes, I can not overstate the saltiness of the raw stuff!

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